Directed by award-winning director Zhang Ji'an and starring Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, the film "Mother Bhumi" (MOTHER BHUMI) will premiere nationwide on May 14. The film blends local culture and mystical elements to tell a shamanistic legend originating from the paddy fields of Kedah, and has already attracted attention prior to its release. In addition to Fan Bingbing's leading role, the cast also includes Bai Runyin, Xu Enyi, Cai Baozhu, Chen Lixin, Wang Qijun, Luo Liqin, Chen Meiling, and Rithaudin, presenting a work rich in cultural depth and artistic quality.
Earlier, "Mother Bhumi" shone at the 62nd Golden Horse Awards, receiving 8 nominations and winning Best Leading Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Original Film Song—setting a new record in the history of Malaysian films at the Golden Horse Awards. In addition, the film was also shortlisted for the main competition at the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival and the 28th Udine Far East Film Festival, and received recognition at international film festivals.
"Mother Bhumi" weaves together folk beliefs, feminine power, and social issues to uniquely narrate a story that moves between reality and spirituality. The film is adapted from a long-standing folktale in Kedah's Siamese villages, set in the 1990s, where a series of strange phenomena arise from local land disputes. During the day, a hardworking peasant woman toils in the fields, and by night transforms into a shaman, casting spells to heal villagers and fight evil forces. She trades her own destiny for the community's peace, displaying selflessness and resilience amid the intersecting pressures of borders, ethnicity, politics, and patriarchy, ultimately showcasing the radiant humanity within.